University is the first in the tri-state area to offer the revolutionary mobile deviceto its students at no cost

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Brookville, N.Y.-- This fall, Long Island University will present iPads to all incoming, full-time freshmen and undergraduate transfer students*, giving them unprecedented access to resources and services via cloud computing. The devices, which can be used in the classroom and beyond, will be theirs to keep after graduation

Offering convenience and portability, the iPad will enhance the students' educational experience, providing them with a powerful tool to: connect with classmates, faculty members and advisers; organize, store and share files, assignments and presentations; access their academic and financial aid records; download digital books; take notes in class; and conduct research online.

"The new, emerging concept out there is cloud computing. And Long Island University is part of that 'cloud.' All you need is a device like an iPad to access everything you need to move through your college years," explained George Baroudi, the University's chief information officer and chief business improvement officer. "We are moving toward ubiquitous access to knowledge, information and University services. We're in an era of change, and we're riding the beginning of that wave."

With more and more books being published in an e-format, the book-reading functionality on the iPad is a huge plus for students. "With a battery life of 10 hours and the flexibility to enable students to read on the fly, it's a game changer," Mr. Baroudi said. "Imagine having a backpack with 20 lbs. of books on your back, and it all disappears into a single device that contains all your books." Students can use iPad applications to purchase and download books from several different online publishers.

In preparation for this pilot program, the University updated its wireless infrastructure, investing $100,000 to create additional access points across the University. The Center for Student Information on each campus will organize the distribution of the iPads and will provide basic training to help students learn to access the University network and to set up iTunes, e-mail accounts and other functions.

"We are developing a framework for communication among faculty members, staff and students that is keeping pace with where technology is taking us in the 21st century," said Paul Forestell, provost of the University's C.W. Post Campus. "By giving our students access to cloud computing, we are creating an environment where faculty and the new millennials can more efficiently and effectively collaborate on the process of learning."

Boasting a Multi-Touch(tm) user interface, a large screen and extensive multimedia capabilities, the iPad runs hundreds of thousands of applications, making it a versatile tool for research and study across the disciplines.

"We are delighted to put this cutting-edge device in our students' hands," said Gale Stevens Haynes, provost of the University's Brooklyn Campus. "But this initiative is not about the iPad per se. It's is about our ongoing commitment to ensuring that our students have access to the latest tools to enable them to learn, to compete and to thrive in our rapidly evolving world."

The iPad pilot program is just the latest example of the University's continued investments in educational technology. Over the past seven years, the University has upgraded its high-speed, fiber-optic network; introduced blended and online programs; implemented industry-leading Web learning software and course management systems; and introduced Web-based student services.